I was nominated by a former Tim Horton’s coworker for the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge. And I have to admit, I was torn between taking part in what seemed like a ridiculously conceited action with no benefit to ALS, donating to ALS without doing the challenge, or just ignoring my nomination all-together.
Initially I thought of the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge like a cause that lost its purpose. I felt that people forgot the meaning behind the challenge and rather captured themselves whining like a 5-year old child as ice cold water is poured over their heads. I couldn’t help but compare it to the “No-Makeup Selfie” challenge that was supposed to raise awareness of Breast Cancer, and even the nomination to outdrink or drink less responsibly than your friend who nominated you to one-up their ridiculously irresponsible chug.
My Faceobok news feed consisted of my friends completing the challenge, some failing to mention the ultimate goal of donating to the cause, some mispronouncing the “ASL” challenge altogether, some celebrity challenges, and even some from actual ALS victims.
After watching a few videos from actual ALS victims, I realized that the challenge isn’t so bad after all. Other than those that failed to complete the challenge successfully, there was some actual success resulting from these videos.
$100 million has already been raised for the American ALS Association, and $12.5 million for ALS Canada. Awareness of the disease is at an all time high. So, for that, the challenge is more than successful.
I had no idea what ALS was until the ice bucket challenge started. I didn’t even know that friends of my family suffer from the terrible disease. I also had no idea what pouring ice water over your head had to do with ALS.
Rather than taking part in the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge, I’d like to take away a few things instead: Awareness on the disease, compassion for the victims, and a reminder to have an open mind, caring heart, and a nonjudgmental attitude towards everyone. You can’t always see a disease or a disability. Everyone struggles with something at some point in their lives.
Kelsey Vere 
I still think you should have done the challenge. It’s not like the ice water is going to ruin your precious little head.
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It definitely wouldn’t have hurt my pretty little head. However, it would go against what I believe in. I don’t believe in falling for peer pressure. I don’t believe in doing this just because everyone else is. I like to see the meaning beyond the surface and learn things. If I choose to do something, it’s because I see a real benefit for myself and for others. In this case, I didn’t. I didn’t think the internet needed one more ice bucket challenge. It could do without. And so could I.
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Dumping Ice water on your head, mimics the way ALS sufferers feel every minute of the day. its not a big deal if you participate, I’m sure your friends just wanted to help support the cause by spreading awareness to their friends and so on. I participated in the challenge and also donated what I could. But I agree most people are getting lost in the fad or the challenge and dont really know what its about.
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Yeah, I figured that was the relation, however, I don’t see the feeling being similar at all. Maybe if the challenge was to lay in ice water then I could see the relation.
A lot of videos I watch people didn’t even use ice, just water. I’m sure it’s cold, but not ICE cold, and therefore not capable of allowing the person to feel what an ALS victim feels every day. I also saw a lot of people using water from a lake, in their bathing suit.
Like you said, and like i said in my post, it’s all about the awareness. And for that I understand why people did it. And to donate to the cause. And for that it’s an amazing marketing ploy! Thanks for your comment “someone”.
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